Suspicious man in area of sex assault

Police have this sketch of the man wanted for questioning in the Winnabow and Bear Creek Circle Peeping Tom incidents. (Fayetteville Police Department)

June 24, 2010 8:43:58 PM PDT

FAYETTEVILLE --

Police say they have a report of a suspicious person in the same area where a woman was sexually attacked and there have been a string of Peeping Tom incidents.

The latest incident happened Wednesday night at a home in the 5600 block of Pepper Bush Drive.

A woman said a man knocked on her door and then bent over as if his stomach was hurt. The woman didn't open the door and the man ran off. The woman said the man looked similar to a composite sketch released by Fayetteville police this week.

"The description is almost exactly the same," Fayetteville Police Department spokesman Dan Grubb said. "The lady saw the sketch on TV last night and after the incident she said he looked exactly like the person."

Police said they searched the area, but weren't able to find the man. He was about 5-feet 8-inches in height, appeared to be in his late teens or early twenties with a slim to medium build, and was wearing a white shirt and dark pants.

Investigators have been looking for a suspect wanted in connection with a peeping incident and a sexual assault earlier this week. Both incidents happened within minutes of each other early Monday morning on Bear Creek Circle.

The victims in the two incidents were teenage girls.

Earlier this month on Winnabow Drive - one neighborhood over from the most recent incidents - police say two peeping incidents and an attempted break-in were reported.

All three streets are in adjoining neighborhoods. Police suspect the peeper may live close by.

"There has been no vehicle associated with this person so whether he lives here or not he is traveling on foot," Grubb said. "He's very sneaky."

Residents in the neighborhood say they are scared and angry.

"I have children, can't feel safe in your own home that's a shame," resident Jasmine Blount said. "Not being able to sleep at night worried about somebody harassing you."

"We got a dog right now, probably need to get a weapon," Blount's husband John Blount said.

"That would make me feel safer, because I would have no problem using it," Blount added.

Homeowner Willie Dubose says police were in his neighborhood Thursday morning passing out flyers, but he says he and his wife aren't taking any chances.

"When my wife comes out in the morning, I walk her to her car and stuff," he said.

Investigators won't say if they think the peeper is taunting them or is he just over confident that he won't get caught.

However, with so many residents talking about buying guns and dogs, police say there's a good chance the peeper could get shot or seriously hurt before they can catch him.

If you have information about any of the crimes, call the Fayetteville Police Department at (910) 433-1856 or 483-TIPS.